It’s not fake news.   It’s simply not the real story

So, when the media decides not to cover serious people making a serious effort, why would anyone be surprised that some candidates resort to tactics of outrage or stunt?  Too often Libertarians have been ignored – and some find a way to reach the public.

Such was my thought when my friend and colleague U.S. Senate hopeful Brian Ellison, in an effort to bring to light a subject that matters to him, advocated his plan “Arm the Homeless”.   For a media that hasn’t given his candidacy any attention, this caught the imagination of media between political scandals – whether a long-serving Congressman whose #metoo was really an admission of past crimes – to the many-sided lineup of silliness coming from Washington these days – Brian’s suggestion simply provided a brief distraction from all that is wrong with politics.

Spare us the outrage.

Politics has long been full of proposals designed to garner attention – with no real expectation that public policy would be formed.   Perhaps the most well known is Jonathan Swift’s “A Modest Proposal”.    And to some, arming our homeless population may seem as ridiculous as feeding the babies of poor people to the rich.

As most people go about their day-to-day lives, but for turning a blind eye when confronted with a homeless person, most Americans don’t give them much thought.   Perhaps the thought of all the unclaimed Doe’s resident in the coroner’s office is a fact too few Americans choose to give a damn about – but, let’s at least give credit to Brian for raising a few eyebrows and maybe a little awareness about this population.

Maybe, just maybe, a more serious interview of Brian’s background would reveal his service to the country in the military.    Concern for the reality that so many veterans are homeless and living in despair ought to be somewhere on the agenda of a serious media.   That so many are left defenseless is a metaphor, stupid!

As a candidate for Governor, I’m not prepared to endorse providing shotguns to the homeless.    But, please stop acting like Libertarians are the only folks tossing out unusual solutions to complicated and intractable problems.

Remember Midnight Basketball?   Did that solve the gang problems plaguing our cities?   Not even the most ardent supporter of Bill Clinton’s agenda would argue that this was even marginally effective.    And these days we talk about investing billions to build a border wall.  Why not just go straight to building pyramids to distract the people?  By comparison, Brian’s rationale seems quite grounded:  At least by taking a homeless person through a program of training we acknowledge their existence – and maybe by investing our time and resources we can remove some of the stink of our ongoing neglect.

If homelessness and despair were a simple problem to solve, some crafty politician would have done so long ago.    But before you can marshal appropriate resources, you must admit there is a problem.   Let’s consider Brian’s suggestion at least as the beginning of our public 12-step program.

The question for our fellow citizens lay in Step No. 8.   Are we a good enough people to make amends with those we’ve wronged?    Put your outrage in your pocket – and either lead, follow, or get the hell out of the way.

Some media outlets have finally begun to understand the liberty movement and give candidates an opportunity to offer serious ideas.   If a major party candidate for the United States Senate can’t get a fair hearing of his ideas, then the result is a candidate finding the circus and trying to play ringmaster.

Will the media play a constructive role in facilitating debate with a serious Libertarian candidate?   Or, will they try to find the unusual, attention-getting byline to present their own idea of the crazy Libertarian.   Unless you’re willing to dig deeper, spare us the outrage.

Bill discusses some Libertarian principles and ideas with Justin Barclay (15 minutes)

This interview was recorded on November 27, 2017 with Justin Barclay on WOOD-Radio in Grand Rapids.    Bill has appeared on Justin’s show previously when Chairman of the LPM in August of 2016.     He predicted the eventual major party status achieved as a result of Gary Johnson’s showing in the general election.

This casual interview covered a number of subjects — from general libertarian principles and the problems with big government programs — to Bill’s specific plan to cut the Headlee Cap (see Michigan Constitution, Article IX, Section 26) from the current 9.49% of personal income to 8.55% — a 10% reduction.

More positions and information coming each week.    Keep your eye on the news.

3/8/2018:  Bill Gelineau first Libertarian to file for Gubernatorial Primary:

Libertarian challenges Republicans in opening policy speech

November 15, 2017, Allegan, Michigan –

With the race for Governor a full year away, Bill Gelineau, candidate for the Libertarian Party nomination, ignited a crowd of supporters and others in an open forum Tuesday night with a detailed outline for reshaping Michigan’s budget.

Early in his speech, Mr. Gelineau outlined his plan to unite forces from all corners of the liberty movement. “If you liked Gary Johnson’s solutions oriented approach – then I think you’ll like what I have to say.” He went on to cite that as a small businessman and family man, he decried outrageous and radical changes that make the burdens imposed by government unpredictable. “Massive changes in tax rates and huge changes in service structures are not what Michigan needs.” Rather, he suggested a “persistent and active effort” to reduce spending.

The heart of the Gelineau Plan is his “10 by 10” a reduction in the current Headlee Amendment State Spending Cap. After first explaining his personal connection to tax-limitation hero Dick Headlee, he challenged leading Republican candidates to step to the plate and endorse a plan to reduce the Constitutional cap on State spending.

Current State spending is now hovering just above 8% of personal income – limited by law to 9.49%. Not since 1999 has the State exceeded the cap, which automatically triggers a rebate to all taxpayers.

“This is a responsible first step”, added Libertarian State Chairman Bill Hall. “A more realistic cap will force the legislature to focus on core priorities instead of pet projects and the ‘bringing home the bacon’ mentality which prevails in Lansing.”

By contrast, Governor Snyder’s $56.5 billion budget represents <u>an increase of 19.7% in just 6 years</u>.

One of the key areas of the Gelineau Plan involves elimination of the Michigan Strategic Fund. While allowing for reassignment of some activities, he outlined a basic criticism which echoes a prime theme in his campaign. “Government should not be subsidizing businesses. Period.” He explained that current difficulties in maintaining critical infrastructure are made worse when huge inducements are given to well-connected big businesses – while simultaneously, small businesses and homeowners must carry an ever-increasing share of the tax burden.

In addition to discussing tax and budget policy, Gelineau endorsed both marijuana legalization efforts. This is a huge opportunity to shift law enforcement priorities away from a prohibition culture to the protection of the public from malicious intent and fraud. From law enforcement to courts to prisons, the prohibition of marijuana is “a budget wrecker”.

The history of mental health throughout the world is rife with attempts to “help” and “do good work”.     I accept as a premise that Libertarian social engineering is not any better than that of Democrats or Republicans who have had good intentions.   It is my commitment to provide a comprehensive statement of the plans that I would work to implement with the legislature.

Our team is still in the process of developing a comprehensive statement.   But, unlike many of the others in this race, we don’t want to rush for the sheer purpose of having something for people to read.    Most of the plan is being announced on May 9, 2018 at the National Alliance on Mental Illness – Michigan Chapter – State Conference in Traverse City.   Unlike most others in the race, I intend to use the experience to learn more about the public policy aspects of mental illness — and listen to concerns.

I take as a given that we live in a world of limited resources.    So, any plans must live within the Michigan budget constraints I’ve outlined in my “Drop the Cap” proposal.

That having been said – much of the discretionary budget in Michigan is wasted on unproductive items.   The top of that list is the Michigan Strategic Fund – much of which provides support to profitable business operations which should not receive government assistance.    I’ve outlined my support for legalization of marijuana and a specific commitment to reduce our prison population by 30%.    As such, I will outline specific proposals to assist the Michigan Department of Public Health develop innovative programs.

Mental health itself carries a very controversial purpose within the larger liberty movement.    It is not our goal to define and monitor normal.    Instead, the role of public policy should be to ensure our citizens have access to REAL programs which help them realize their own dreams.    Too often, mental health assistance has been stigmatized and isolated from being integrated with the other important socialization systems — education and work.

Our proposal, when announced (tentatively on June 22), will provide a clear new direction for people struggling in Michigan.    And, like everything else, we tell you exactly how we’re going to pay for it.     Stay tuned!

Bill